Apparatus for drying and carbonizing textile fabrics



Dec. 4, 1923. 1,476,362

P. GLENNIE APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND CARBONIZING TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Oct. 10 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. GLENNIE APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND CARBONIZING TEXTILE FABRICS Dec. 4, 1923.

Filed Oct. l0. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 [Y swvawtoz Z5542 1272 a? Patented Dec. 4, i923.

partner PETER GLENNIE, OF NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND CARBONIZING TEXTILE FABRICS.

Application filed October 10, '1921. Serial No. 506,667.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER GLENNIE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at North Andover, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Drying and Carbonizing Textile Fabrics; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved machine or apparatus for drying and carbonizing textile fabrics.

Machines of this class now commonly used comprise housings through which the fabric to be acted on is passed continuously, together with suitable heating means arranged in the housing for heating the incoming air which is circulated throughout the housing for removing the moisture from the fabric. Experience with types of machines of this class now in use has brought out the fact that the circulation of heated air is extremely unequal and forms dead air pockets at various points throughout the internal area oi: the machine, resulting, of course, in unequal or streaky'drying, or carbonizing of the fabric.

It is therefore my principal aim to devise an apparatus of this class which embodies novel means arranged above the moving fabric to compel a uniform distribution of the heated air this means being such that it is capable of being adjusted to obtain a slow circulation or a rapid circulation whichever is desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthis class embodying the aforesaid novel means together with a special housing having doors on one or both sides near its bottom to permit the wheel supported heating coils to be removed to obtain a quick cooling of the apparatus just after use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which embodies two separate chambers through which the continuous strip of fabric is passed, one of these chamhers being relatively small and providing a drying chamber whereas the remaining one constitutes a carbonizing chamber to bring the impurities, which have been acted upon by the acid bath, to a condition of crispness in which they may be readily reduced to a powder or dust in the pounding rolls of a dry beater.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this class wherein the carbonizing chamber is such in construction that a continuous circulation of heated air may be obtained, or said heated air driven clear of the machine after once passing through the carbonizing chamber, permitting fresh air to be drawn in and heated to act on the fabric.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the means for controlling the continuous circulation of heated air is adjustable so that a mild or comparatively slow circulation can be obtained so as to minimize the liability of extraneous particles and dirt depositing on the fabric.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent durir the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view through the apparatus showing the construction and arrangement of parts more clearly.

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken substantially on the planes of the lines i-t, 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates generally a housing or easing of suitable shape and size which is divided into separate compartments by a partition 2. By closely examining the manner in which the housing is divided. it will be seen that the front compartment which is generaiiy 33MB indicated by the numeral 3, constitutes what may be conveniently termed a carbonizing chamber, the same having therein at its point, a sub-compartment 3 which serves a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. The remaining smaller compartment 4 constitutes a drying chamber. This last named compartment is provided with an outlet pipe 5 aving a suitable suction device (not shown) arranged therein for drawing the moisture from this compartment. A plurality of rollers 6 are arranged in the drying and carbonizing chambers and these rollers are so mounted as to permit a continuous strip of fabric 7 to be run over them so that it can be carried longitudinally through the hous ing to be acted on in the separate chambers. The fabric is fed from a suitable source of supply and by suitable means is drawn continuously over the rollers and through the housing and is preferably moved in the direction of the arrow A. Openings 8 and 8 are formed in the partition and right-hand end of the housing at opposite points and rollers are arranged in these openings to permit the fabric to enter the drying chamber and pass from the latter into the carbonizing'chamber. To permit access to be had to the interior of the chambers for repairing the fabric in case it breaks, suitable doors 9 are provided.

It is desirable to arrange suitable means within the chambers 3 and 4 for heating the incoming air to the desired degree so as to cause the fabric to be thoroughly dried. The

means employed preferably comprises heaters composed of coils 10 whichare supplied with steam or hot water from any suitable source. It is to be noted that these coils are supported on plates 11 which in turn carry small wheels 12 movable along the transversely disposed tracks 13 which are arranged at spaced points inside of the chambers 3 and 4. It will therefore be seen that with this construction of heater, it will be possible to remove the latter immediately after the machine is stopped so as to effect a rapid cooling of the chambers. To effect such removal of the heating coils, hinged doors 14 are provided. I am led to state at this point that these doors 14 are provided with openings closed by smaller doors 15 which constitute fresh air inlets and these inlets serve a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

At this point, attention may be directed to the fact that the housing on opposite sides of the compartment 3 is provided with conduits 16 through which the hot air is deslgned to pass and the adjacent end wall 17 is provided with a horizontal passage 18 forming an air. discharge. This passage 18 is-controlled by a throttle valve 19 and it is obvious that the air can be forced outwardly through the passage 18 after once passing through this passage 18 or again directed to and through the carbonizing chamber to provide a continuous circulation. It is to be noted that the compartment 3 is shorter in height than the housing and the wall 20 thereof and is formed between its ends with an opening for disposition of one of the rollers 6 and for passage of the fabric. This wall 20 is also formed below this opening with a relatively large opening 21 closed by a hinged door. It is desirable to keep the passage 21 open at times, while at other times it is desired to close it. I therefore make use of a toothed lever 23 and pivotally connect this with the plate 22 and extend it through an opening 24in this end of the housing so that the teeth can be engaged with the lower wall of the opening to hold the plate 22 in various adjusted positions for regulating the flow of air through the opening 21. It is to be noted that the sides of the sub-compartment 3 are formed near their bottoms with openings in which fans 25 are located, the latter being mounted on a shaft extending transversely through the housing which is equipped with a pulley or the like 26. These fans are preferably so constructed that the blades thereof serve tocreate a suction within the carbonizing chamber and draw the heated air, which naturally moves toward the top of the housing, down through the passage 16 to be driven out or again circulated through the carbonizing chamber as desired.

As previously pointed out, it is one of the very important features of this invention to arrange within the carbonizing chamber, means which will insure uniform distribution of the heated air to prevent the fabric from being unequally dried. As above indicated, the heated air naturally passes upwardly through the fabric and accumulates I therefore take I at the top of the housing. advantage of this and arrange adjacent the top, a false ceiling so that a passage is provided between the. same and the top of the housing through which the used air is discharged. Broadly speaking, this false ceiling is so constructed, as to provide a number of openings of restricted size through which the heated air is sucked. In its preferred form, this ceiling is formed from a number of substantially rectangular plates 27 which are supported in the housing in inclined positions with their longitudinal edges overlapped and spaced from one another. One of the end plates 28 is fixedly secured to the adjacent side 20 of the sub-compartment 3 while the remaining end plate 29 is hingedly connected to the artition 2. The means for supporting the p ates in overlapping spaced relation consists of hanger bolts 30 suspend ed from the top of the housing and having trance of air.

spaced nuts 31 on the threaded lower ends other to render the spaces between them larger or smaller as desired.

In operation, the fabric 7 is trained overand around the rollers 6 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and is moved by suitable means in the direction of the arrow A. As it passes through the drying chamber 4:, practically all moisture is removed from it and is carried from the chamber through the suction ipe 5. As it enters the carbonizing chamer 3, it is acted on by a more severe hmt and is maintained in this chamber for a greater length of time and the heated air in this chamber is, because of the improved false ceiling, evenly distributed throughout the entire area of this chamber so that any impurities in the fabric are rendered easily removable due to the fact that the fabric is rendered crisp or rather stiff so that the particles can be dusted off of the fabric after leaving the carbonizing chamber. The powder or dust can also be removed from the fabric by passing the same through the pounding rolls of a dry beater or can be removed otherwise. At this point I wish to state that in actual practice in order to obtain the desired action on the fabric in the carbonizing chamber, the fabric must be held in the chamber for a time and subject-- ed to the hot air which should be kept at a temperature of 240 degrees Fahrenheit or more. I also wish to point out that in order to obtain a satisfactory result, a continuous circulation of air is desirable, and yet the circulation should be comparatively slow so as to minimize the liability of rust from the steam pipes and other extraneous particles and dirt from depositing on the fabric. It is understood of course that in order to set themachine in operation, fresh air is first intro duced into the chambers by means of the doors l5 and after a suflicient quantity is laced within the chambers, the doors are closed tightly so as to prevent further en- The air in the casing is heated very rapidly by the coils 10 and passes upwardly through the fabric and thoroughly dries the latter, the uniform distribution being obtained,- as above stated, by use of the improved false ceiling. When the chamber 3 is usedfor carbonizing purposes,

the air is continuously circulated through thischamber 3, downwardly through the passages 16 and forced into the chambers 3 again through the opening 21 at the bottom of the sub-compartment 3 and is used over and over again. When used for drying only, the speed at which .the fabric is drawn through is considerably inc,reased and the chamber 3 used for withdrawing the moisture. without drying the-fabric to-such an extent that it will become stiff and crisp as above pointed out. At this time, the throt tle valve 19 in the discharge passage 18 is opened and the hinged plate or door 22 is closed and the air instead of being permitted to again pass into the chamber '3 is forced outwardly through the passage 18 and used only once. The rotating fans 25. insure a continuous circulation of the air.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the valve 22 is open when the device is used for carbonizing purposes and is closed when used for drying only and the valve 19 is opened when the one 22 is closed to permit the air to be blown clear of the machine through the passage 18. It will also be seen that in case the fabric should break during its course of passage through the machine, it can be repaired by gaining entrance to the housing through the doors 9. These doors also permit the plates 27 of the false ceiling to be adjusted to vary the spaces between them to control the passage of air. Also, it is understood that the upwardly passing heated air contacts with the moving fabric which is, of course, the customary way of drying cloth, but it is believed that the improved false ceiling of the construction set forth will absolutely maintaina uniform circulation of air and insure a thorough drying of the cloth. I may also point out that the combined square area of all the openings between the ceiling plates will be governed in proportion to the square area of the air-intake opening leading from the sub-compartment to the carbonizing chamber so that the amount of air passing between the openings formed by the overlapping ends of each plate will be practically equal. gether with a' slight inclination of the plates permits, the upper strata of air to be continuously withdrawn with no obstruction. proper adjustment of ceiling plates and maintenance of proper temperature for the air within the chambers, a thorough and effective drying of the fabric is insured. Consequently, I wish to lay particular emphasis on the employment .of the improved false ceiling.

obtained with the construction and arrange- 25,

ment herein shown and described, this is It therefore follows that with. the

This feature of construction, toi taken as t-hepreferred embodiment of the in I vention. However, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A machine for treating fabrics in the manner set forth embodying a false ceiling composed of a plurality of spaced adjustable members arranged with respect to one another to restrict the passage of the heated a1r between them, the space between said members being capable of being accurately varied in size to insure an absolutely uniform-circulation of the heated air in the machine.

2. A machine for treating fabrics comprising a housing having'air inlet means at 1ts bottom and an outlet therefor at its top, a plurality of revolving rollers in the housing for feeding the fabric through the housing to be acted on, air heating means heneath the rollers, and a false ceiling arranged over the latter, being composed of a plurality of plates having their edges arranged in spaced overlapping relation.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2, together with hangers for movably supporting the plates and permitting the spaces between themto be varied for controlling the passage of air therebetween.

LA machine for treating fabrics comprising a housing provided with air inlet and discharge means, means arranged in said housing for heating the air, means for conveying fabric through the central part of said housing, and a false ceiling arranged over said fabric conveying means and spaced below the to passage for t e discharging air, said ceiling being composed of a plurality of transversely disposed inclined plates having their longitudinal edges arranged in overlapping spaced relation, and hanger bolts supported from the top of the housing and having their threaded ends extending through openings formed in said plates, and nuts on the threaded portions of the .bolts for confining the plates between them and for adjusting the plates toward and from one another to vary the size of the spaces for passage of the air. 0

5. A machine for treating fabrics comprising a housing divided into small and large compartments, said small compartment being provided with a moisture escape conduit, said large compartment being formed with air intake and discharge means, a plurality of rollers supported in said chamber for carrying a strip of fabric through the chamber to be acted on, heating devices arranged in said chambers, and means in sa d. large chamber for creating a uniform d1s-' tribution of the heated air therein.

6. A machine for treating fabrics comprising a housing having means for feeding a strip of fabric therethroughto be acted of the housing to provide a on, means arranged over said fabric feeding means for compelling a uniform distributionof the heated air throughout the entire area of said housing, the latter being formed adjacent its bottom and in one side with said openings, doors closing said openings, and heating devices arranged in said housing and being removed from the latter through said openings.

7. A machine of the class described comprising a housing provided with means for feeding a strip of fabric therethrough, a false ceiling arranged in said housing and spaced from the top of the latter to provide an air space between said top and ceiling, a heating device arranged in said housing beneath said fabric feeding means, an air intake opening arranged with said heating device, an adjustable valve for closing said opening, and an air discharge pipe leading from said housing, and means for creating a circulation of air in said housing.

8. A machine for treating fabrics coinprising a housing through which the fabric is designed to pass, said housing embodying a main chamber and an-auxiliary chamber communicating with one another through a comparatively small opening, an adjustable valve closing said opening, a conduit for the discharge of air leading from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber, and means for forcing said air through the auxiliary chamber into the main chamber to produce a continuous circulation of the air.

9. A machine for treating fabrics compris ing a housing embodying main and auxiliary compartments or chambers through which the fabric is designed to travel, a valved air discharge leading from the auxiliary compartment, an opening between the two compartments for permitting a continuous circulation of the heated air therethrough, an adjustable valve cooperative with said opening, a hot-air conduit leading from the main chamber to the auxiliary chamber, and suction devices for drawing the air from said last named chamber into the auxiliary chamber, whereby to permit it to be forced through said discharge or the aforesaid opening affording communication between the two chambers.

10. A machine for treating fabrics comprising a housing, a comparatively small compartment at one end of said housing having an opening affording communication with the main chamber of the housing, a valve controlled opening, the upper end of said compartment terminating below the top of the housing, a false ceiling extending at right angles from the top of said auxiliary compartment throughout the length of the main chamber, said ceiling being spaced below the top of the housing to provide a passage for discharging the hot air, conduits communicating with said passage and leading to said auxiliary compartment, suction creating devices in said conduits for sucking the air into the auxiliary compartment and forcing it therefrom into the atmosphere or back into the main chamber through the aforesaid valved opening.

11. In a machine of the class described, a housing through which the fabric to be treated is designed to pass, tracks arranged transversely in the bottom of said housing beneath the fabric, said housing being formed at its bottom with openings, closures for said openings, and air heaters designed to be removed and inserted through said openings, said air heaters being provided with rollers for supporting them on said tracks to facilitate removal and insertion,

whereby to permit rapid cooling of the housing for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

PETER GLENNKE. 

